unicornnews: Sun's political man moves to PR

The Sun’s political editor, George Pascoe-Watson, is leaving the tabloid to move into a PR role at Portland, the political communications consultancy led by former Tony Blair advisor Tim Allan. He leaves the paper just weeks after it formally switched its political allegience to the Conservative Party.

Confirming his appointment as a Partner at Portland, Pascoe-Watson told esPResso: “I cannot wait to join Portland’s brilliant, energetic and dynamic team. I leave The Sun with nothing but happy memories of 22 years on Fleet Street. I was thrilled to have played a key role in switching The Sun’s support to David Cameron. I leave The Sun in the brilliant hands of Dominic Mohan, a friend and colleague who I anticipate will build on Rebekah Brooks’s formidable success. And it is now time to use the skills and experience of 22 years on the country’s biggest paper to great effect”.

Tim Allan added: “George is one of the best political journalists of his generation, and there is no training ground like The Sun. He has a superb knowledge not only of the media but also of today’s political landscape. His skills and experience are genuinely unique and will be absolutely invaluable to Portland’s clients”.

Pascoe-Watson will be succeeded at The Sun by Tom Newton Dunn.

The former Sun man is the latest in a number of high profile appointments at Portland. The other big names joining the comms agency in recent weeks are another sign of the lobbying sector preparing for a Conservative government next summer. David Cameron’s former press secretary George Eustice will join the company, as will Tory heavyweight Michael Portillo.

The exact nature of Portillo’s part time role with Portland is not known, though he did recently confirm the appointment, saying in a statement: “Portland has built a strong reputation and a first class knowledge of politics and the media. I look forward to working with the team and helping the business grow”.

Posted Friday October 16 2009 by Chris Cooke

Related categories: Public Affairs